Friday, August 21, 2015

Book Review: Curse of the Sphinx (Sphinx #1) by Raye Wagner

Curse of the Sphinx

(Sphinx #1)

by

Raye Wagner

Published August 11th 2015

By Author Self Pub

ARC for Review

Summary
How long can a monster stay hidden in plain sight?

Seventeen year-old Hope Nicholas has spent her entire life on the run. But no one is chasing her. In fact, no one even knows she exists. With her mom, she’s traveled from town to town and school to school, barely staying long enough to meet anyone, let alone make friends. And she’ll have to keep it that way. It’s safer.

When her mother is brutally ripped away from her, Hope’s life shatters. Is this the fulfillment of Apollo’s curse, murder from the shadow monsters of the Underworld, or have the demigods finally found her? Orphaned and alone, Hope flees again, but this time there’s no one to teach her who to trust—or how to love.

Set in a universe where mythology is alive and well in the modern world, Curse of the Sphinx irresistibly blends action, suspense and romance.

Which Mythological Story is Your Jam

I’m not sure why but I have always been drawn to Greek Mythology. Roman too, but not fiercely. Having said that it is a wonder I don’t read more books with this trope. Maybe they are not what’s popular? Who knows but what I do know is this cover...

Oh

My

Gawd

Isn’t it to die for? I thought so too. The feels were strong with this one I was drawn by the force to pick up this book and I can’t say that I’m disappointed. Well, maybe a teensy bit but not enough to not continue this series. The authors writing was engaging and I noticed she does some fast forwards. From paragraph to paragraph it could be later in the day or days later. This was a refreshing concept and there were counts and count downs that I enjoyed. The flow was okay but there were some things that hindered the flow…inconsistencies like there was a mythology class and there were temples…but mythology isn’t mythology? its supposedly real? BUT the word Mythology means a collection of Myths…as in NOT REAL.

My brain was like..."does not compute, does not compute. Abort, abort, does not compute"

People study "mythology" and worship in temples and did I mention it’s called mythology? Like doesn’t that make it not real?...I dunno I just kept going…"huh maybe they do believe in it or maybe they don’t. But I wonder why its called mythology shouldn't it be called religion?"

Oh well as I mentioned I want to know what happens next because I feel like this was a good starter book. It’s just the whole mythology thing that was confusing to me.

The Story, there is a curse and Hope is cursed along with her mother and her grandmother. It feels as though years, and years, and years, have passed from ancient times to present. As in cell phones, planes, cars, up to current day civilization. How much time has passed? I’m not sure. What exactly is the curse how exactly did it happen? Flip if I know I think I missed it if it’s even there.

I know there is a prequel novella that I’m absolutely going to read because I have a feeling there will be more information within those pages as to the who and why. I think I managed to piece together what the curse was. Yolo if your into this topic I say go for it check it out for yourself.

Hope finds herself alone in a world that has condemned her and there are beings looking to destroy or use her as a toy. She has to find the strength to move forward and lay low. All the while she tries have a somewhat normal existence none the less. Little does she know those that are closest could prove to be the deadliest. History has a way of repeating itself and Hope stands to lose the most.

The Characters, so I mentioned Hope earlier although she has been running all of her life she doesn’t really understand why. Her mother has fought very hard to keep her safe but she has also kept Hope in the dark about a lot of things. Her aunt is the only extended family she’s ever known but Priska is more of a protector than anything else. Athan is a Demigod sent to find Hope and when he does there is something about her that is very alluring. I enjoyed these two together but at first Athan was a bit of a flirt leading plenty of girls on. I look forward to following this little duo. The side characters were wonderful even the dumb snarky high school mean girl. Hope definitely taught her a lesson. Insert winky face here. ->___.

The End, okay so the truth comes out but I’m still not one hundred percent sure of what all the curse entails. Although I will say that by the end we have a better idea. READ THE PREQUEL NOVELLA. Things end a little bit cliffy but nothing too crazy or shocking. As I mentioned before this was a great starter book. I feel like something amazing is around the corner. Now I’m off to read the novella for some more back story and I’ll be looking forward to what happens next.

Raye Wagner grew up in Seattle, the second of eight children, and learned to escape chaos through the pages of fiction. As a youth, she read the likes of David Eddings, Leon Uris, and Jane Austen. Inspired by a fictional character, Raye pursued a career in nursing, thinking to help the world one patient at a time.
One summer afternoon, when her then young children were playing in the pool, a plot dropped into her head, and she started writing.

She enjoys baking, puzzles, Tae Kwon Do, and the sound of waves lapping at the sand. She lives with her husband and three children in Middle Tennessee.

Origin of the Sphinx, a novella detailing the story leading up to the creation of the mythological creature, is her first publication. It is the beginning of the Sphinx series.

Curse of the Sphinx, the first book in the series, is completed, and set to be released in August 2015.